Apparatus for ending a tubular pile foundation

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for ending a tubular pile foundation, in particular a pile head plate, wherein the apparatus includes a substantially plate-shaped pressure distribution plate which can be fitted with a substantially flat plate surface on to a pile end of a tubular pile of the tubular pile foundation, wherein at least one support rib for reinforcing the pressure distribution plate is arranged on the plate surface.

The invention concerns an apparatus for ending a tubular pile foundation, in particular a pile head plate, wherein the apparatus includes a substantially plate-shaped pressure distribution plate which can be fitted with a substantially flat plate surface on to a pile end of a tubular pile of the tubular pile foundation.

Tubular pile foundations, also referred to as pile foundations, are a kind of deep foundations used in the construction industry. The individual pile tubes—also referred to as driven piles—which generally comprise ductile cast iron and are of predetermined lengths of for example five meters are fitted one into the other to produce a pile foundation. To make it easier to fit driven piles into each other and thus to increase the length of a pile foundation the driven piles usually have a conically tapering first pile end and a second pile end shaped to form a socket. In that way the foundation can be driven pile by pile into the ground, whereby it is possible to produce pile foundations of any length quickly and inexpensively. Driven piles of this kind are usually produced in a centrifugal casting process with a shaping rotating mold. In that case substantially cylindrical tubular piles are formed, which are internally hollow. Depending on the respective kind of use those hollow-cylindrical driven piles can be filled with concrete or another suitable injection material or sheathed in order to produce a stable foundation after having been driven into the ground.

Frequently so-called pile head plates are fitted at the upper end of the tubular pile foundations on to the pile ends of the last tubular pile of the tubular pile foundation. The structures erected on the tubular pile foundation are mounted on those pile head plates. Conventional pile head plates are usually made of steel. Known pile head plates of steel are of a wall thickness of between about 35 and 40 mm.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus improved over the state of the art for ending off a tubular pile foundation, in particular a pile head plate. In particular the invention seeks to achieve a saving in material in the production of the pile head plate.

According to the invention that object is attained by the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations of the invention are recited in the appendant claims.

According to the invention therefore it is provided that at least one support rib for reinforcing the pressure distribution plate is arranged on the plate surface.

In the position of use the plate surface of the pressure distribution plate faces downwardly, that is to say in the direction of the pile end of the last or uppermost tubular pile of the tubular pile foundation. The surface of the pressure distribution plate, that is opposite to the plate surface, represents the contact surface for a structure to be erected on the tubular pile foundation. The provision of at least one support rib on the plate surface of the pressure distribution plate, that faces towards the tubular pile foundation, makes it possible to involve a substantially smaller plate thickness for the pressure distribution plate in comparison with conventional pile head plates without thereby suffering a structural disadvantage. In particular the support ribs support the pressure distribution plate when receiving a foundation load of a concrete foundation, that is supported on the apparatus.

It can preferably be provided that the plate surface is of a substantially rectangular, preferably square, configuration. The fact that the tubular piles of a tubular pile foundation are mostly in the form of tubular hollow bodies provides in particular for uniform coverage of the pile end by a square plate surface.

In a particularly preferred embodiment it can be provided that the pressure distribution plate at least partially and preferably substantially completely comprises cast iron. By producing the pressure distribution plate by a casting process from preferably ductile cast iron it can be provided in particular that the at least one support rib is integral with the pressure distribution plate. In particular the integral nature of the at least one support rib with the pressure distribution plate leads to particularly effective reinforcement of the pressure distribution plate.

Preferably it can be provided that the at least one support rib is in the form of a substantially leg-shaped wall. In that respect it can be provided that the wall is of a wall thickness of at least 8 mm, preferably about 10 mm. It can in particular also be provided that the outer edges of the wall are rounded off.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the at least one support rib extends along a longitudinal extent of the support rib, wherein preferably the longitudinal extent extends along a straight line. It will be appreciated that it can also be provided that the longitudinal extent of the support rib extends along an arc. In addition it can also be provided that the support rib does not extend continuously along its longitudinal extent, but has a plurality of rib sections or rib portions.

In a particularly preferred embodiment it can be provided that the at least one support rib extends along its longitudinal extent starting from an outer edge of the plate surface. It can also be provided that the at least one support rib extends along its longitudinal extent in the direction of a center point of the plate surface. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is that in which the at least one support rib extends substantially radially in relation to the center point of the plate surface.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that a height of the at least one support rib increases, preferably substantially linearly, in relation to the plate surface along the longitudinal extent of the support rib starting from the outer edge of the plate surface. In that case it can be provided that the height of the at least one support rib increases along a straight line inclined in relation to the plate surface, wherein the straight line has an angle of inclination of between about 30° and 40°, preferably between about 30° and 35°, in relation to the plate surface.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is that in which the at least one support rib extends along its longitudinal extent starting from at least one outer corner region, preferably from each outer corner region, of the plate surface. In that case the corner region can be for example in the form of a pointed corner or also a rounded corner.

In a further preferred variant it can be provided that least one centering collar is arranged on the plate surface for centering the apparatus on the pile end. In that respect it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the at least one centering collar is integral with the pressure distribution plate. That integral nature can be achieved for example if the pressure distribution plate together with the at least one support rib and the at least one centering collar is produced by means of centrifugal casting processes from ductile cast iron.

To facilitate centering of the apparatus on the pile end it can preferably be provided that the at least one centering collar is at least partially and preferably substantially completely in the form of a leg extending along a circular path. In that way the centering collar can be particularly easily fitted on to a tubular pile end of an annular cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that the at least one support rib adjoins the at least one centering collar. It is particularly desirable if it is provided that the at least one support rib is integral with the at least one centering collar.

In a particularly preferred configuration it can be provided that arranged on the plate surface is at least a first centering collar and a second centering collar arranged outside the circular path of the first centering collar, wherein preferably the first centering collar and the second centering collar are arranged concentrically on the plate surface. In that way the proposed pile head plate can be used for tubular pile foundations involving different tubular pile diameters.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the pressure distribution plate is of a plate thickness of at most 35 mm, preferably between about 20 mm and 30 mm.

A particular variant provides that the pressure distribution plate has at least one through hole, wherein preferably the at least one through hole is of a diameter of larger than 30 mm, preferably larger than 50 mm, particularly preferably about 60 mm. In that way the operation of filling concrete or concrete emulsion into the piles can be facilitated when dealing with pressed piles.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to the specific description hereinafter. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the plate surface of a proposed apparatus for ending a tubular pile foundation,

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along section line AA in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along section line BB in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of a proposed apparatus,

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along section line CC in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a further example of a proposed apparatus,

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along section line DD in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 shows a pile end of a tubular pile of a tubular pile foundation with apparatus arranged thereon for ending the tubular pile foundation, and

FIG. 9 shows a further example of a proposed apparatus arranged on a pile end.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a plate surface 4 of a pressure distribution plate 3 of a proposed apparatus 1 for ending a tubular pile foundation 2. The apparatus 1 can be fitted with the illustrated plate surface 4 of the pressure distribution plate 3 on to a pile end 5 of a tubular pile 6 of the tubular pile foundation 2 (see for example FIG. 8) so that the plate surface 4 faces downwardly in the direction of the tubular pile 6, in the position of use. The plate surface 4 is square and has rounded-off corners in the respective corner regions 9. Extending in the four corner regions 9 starting from the outer edge 8 of the plate surface 4, are a total of four support ribs 7 which extend along their respective longitudinal extent L, starting from the outer corner regions 9, radially in relation to the center point M of the plate surface 4.

To be able to use the proposed apparatus 1 for different diameters of the pile ends 5 two centering collars 10 a, 10 b are additionally disposed on the plate surface 4, the centering collars being in the form of legs and extending along a respective circular path 11 a, 11 b. In that case the center point M of the plate surface 4 forms the respective center point of the circular paths 11 a, 11 b. The circular path 11 b of the outer or second centering collar 10 b is of a larger radius than the circular path 11 a of the inner or first centering collar 10 a and both centering collars 10 a, 10 b are arranged concentrically on the plate surface 4.

The four support ribs 7 go into the outer centering collar 10 b and are integral therewith. Overall the entire apparatus 1 including the pressure distribution plate 3 are integral with centering collars 10 a, 10 b and support ribs 7 disposed on the plate surface 4 thereof and are produced in a centrifugal casting process from ductile cast iron.

In addition, at the center of the plate surface 4 (around the center point M) the pressure distribution plate 3 has a through hole 12 of a diameter D, through which concrete or concrete emulsion can be introduced into the tubular pile foundation in the position of use of the apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view along section line AA in FIG. 1. This view clearly shows the integral nature of the proposed apparatus 1. Both the support ribs 7 and the centering collars 10 a, 10 b project from the plate surface 4. As can be seen the support ribs 7 are not only integral with the pressure distribution plate 3 but are also integral with the outer centering collar 10 b. In addition a height H of a respective support rib 7 increases in relation to the plate surface 4 along its longitudinal extent L, starting from the outer edge 8 of the plate surface 4, along a straight line which is inclined with respect to the plate surface 4 and which assumes an angle of inclination W of about 32° with the plate surface 4.

The transitions from the plate surface 4 to the leg-shaped centering collars 10 a, 10 b are rounded off, like the transition from the surface of the pressure distribution plate 3, that is opposite to the plate surface 4, to the through hole 12.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along section line BB in FIG. 1. The support rib 7 is in the form of a leg-shaped wall, the outer edges of the support rib 7 being rounded off, like the transition of the support rib 7 on to the pressure distribution plate 3.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the plate surface 4 of a further example of a proposed apparatus 1 and FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along section line CC in FIG. 4. In this example the pressure distribution plate 3 is of a plate thickness 13 of about 20 mm. The maximum height H of the support rib 7 and therewith also the heights of the centering collars 10 a, 10 b are in this example about 30 mm, starting from the plate surface 4. The wall thicknesses 14 of the leg-shaped support ribs 7 and the leg-shaped centering collars 10 a, 10 b are about 10 mm. The side length 16 of the square plate surface 4 is about 200 mm and the through hole 12 is of a diameter D of about 60 mm. The outer ends of the pressure distribution plate 3 and the inside wall of the through hole 12 are inclined relative to a perpendicular on to the plate surface 4 and have an inclination or bevel 15 of about 3° relative to the perpendicular to the plate surface 4.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the plate surface 4 of a further example of a proposed apparatus 1 and FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along section line DD in FIG. 6. The plate thickness 13 of the pressure distribution plate 3 in this example is about 25 mm and the through hole 12 is of a diameter D of about 80 mm. The side length of the square plate surface 4 is about 250 mm.

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of a proposed apparatus 1 at a pile end 5 of a tubular pile 6 of a pile foundation 2. The apparatus 1 is fitted with the plate surface 4 of the pressure distribution plate 3 on to the pile end 5, in which case the pile end 5 comes to lie within the outer centering collar 10 b, with corresponding centering of the apparatus 1 on the pile end 5 being achieved by the centering collar 10 b. Particularly in the case of a pressed tubular pile foundation concrete or concrete emulsion and suitable reinforcing elements can be introduced through the through hole 12.

FIG. 9 shows a further example of a proposed apparatus 1 at a pile end 5 of the last or uppermost tubular pile 6 of a tubular pile foundation 2. In this example the pile end 5 is not in the form of a socket but the tubular pile 6 was cut off at the required height and in this example the inner centering collar 10 a is used for centering the apparatus 1 on the pile end 5. 

1. Apparatus for ending a tubular pile foundation, in particular a pile head plate, wherein the apparatus includes a substantially plate-shaped pressure distribution plate which can be fitted with a substantially flat plate surface on to a pile end of a tubular pile of the tubular pile foundation, wherein at least one support rib for reinforcing the pressure distribution plate is arranged on the plate surface.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plate surface is of a substantially rectangular, preferably square, configuration.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure distribution plate at least partially and preferably substantially completely comprises cast iron.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one support rib is integral with the pressure distribution plate.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one support rib is in the form of a substantially leg-shaped wall.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the wall is of a wall thickness of at least 8 mm, preferably about 10 mm.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one support rib extends along a longitudinal extent of the support rib, wherein preferably the longitudinal extent extends along a straight line.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the at least one support rib extends along its longitudinal extent starting from an outer edge of the plate surface.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the at least one support rib extends along its longitudinal extent in the direction of a center point of the plate surface.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one support rib extends substantially radially in relation to the center point the plate surface.
 11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein a height of the at least one support rib increases, preferably substantially linearly, in relation to the plate surface along the longitudinal extent of the support rib starting from the outer edge of the plate surface.
 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the height of the at least one support rib increases along a straight line inclined in relation to the plate surface, wherein the straight line has an angle of inclination of between about 30° and 40°, preferably between about 30° and 35°, in relation to the plate surface.
 13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the at least one support rib extends along its longitudinal extent starting from at least one outer corner region, preferably from each outer corner region, of the plate surface.
 14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one centering collar is arranged on the plate surface for centering the apparatus on the pile end.
 15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one centering collar is integral with the pressure distribution plate.
 16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one centering collar is at least partially and preferably substantially completely in the form of a leg extending along a circular path.
 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one support rib adjoins the at least one centering collar.
 18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein the at least one support rib is integral with the at least one centering collar.
 19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein arranged on the plate surface is at least a first centering collar and a second centering collar arranged outside the circular path of the first centering collar, wherein preferably the first centering collar and the second centering collar are arranged concentrically on the plate surface.
 20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure distribution plate is of a plate thickness of at most 35 mm, preferably between about 20 mm and 30 mm.
 21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure distribution plate has at least one through hole, wherein preferably the at least one through hole is of a diameter of larger than 30 mm, preferably larger than 50 mm, particularly preferably about 60 mm. 